Wayne Jones, Atlanta Housing Authority Board Member, Dead At 77

Atlanta Housing Authority board member Wayne Jones died Friday following a brief illness.

He was 77.

Jones, a lifelong Atlantan, was born in the Summerhill neighborhood and was a 1952 graduate of the former David T. Howard High School in Old Fourth Ward. He went on to attend Morehouse College and along with his family, ran several entertainment hotspots in the Sweet Auburn corridor that hosted many musical greats including B.B. King, Dionne Warrick, James Brown and Lena Horne.

"Wayne loved people and especially kids," Jones' brother, Q.P. Jones, said. "He tried to help as many people as he could."

Wayne Jones was a lifetime member and former trustee of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church and a board member of Metro Atlanta Respite and Developmental Services Inc., an organization focused on the needs of at-risk children and youngsters who have mental, developmental and physical challenges.

In addition to his post as a board member on the AHA, Jones also was on the board of directors of the Atlanta Police Athletic League.

"The AHA family and city of Atlanta has truly lost a giant, but his dedicated service will never be forgotten," Daniel J. Halpern, the Atlanta Housing Authority board chairman, said in a statement. "Let us all keep Commissioner Wayne Jones’ family in our thoughts and prayers."

Wayne Jones is survived by a daughter, Shirley Dwayne; two sons, Phillip Jones and Deldrick Jones; four grandchildren; a sister, Alyce Abson; a brother, Q.P. Jones; three nephews, and five nieces.

is handling arrangements, which were incomplete late Friday.